Fans tune in

Despite the presence of two teams from non-power conferences, CBS' Nielsen ratings for the Saturday semifinal games at Reliant Stadium were even with last year, and its average audience was the best since 2005.

The Butler-VCU and Connecticut-Kentucky games averaged an 8.9 rating and 17 share, equaling the average for the Butler-Michigan State and Duke-West Virginia games last year. The average audience of 15.4 million viewers was the best since 16.6 million on average watched Illiniois-Louisville and North Carolina-Michigan State in 2005.

Butler-VCU averaged 8.3/17 with 14.2 million viewers. UConn-Kentucky averaged 9.5/17, the highest rating for the second Final Four game since 10.9/19 for the Tar Heels and Spartans, with 16.7 million viewers, the best since 17.5 million for the 2005 game.

In Houston, the games averaged a 9.1 rating on KHOU (Channel 11), which ranked 28th among major markets.

Fredette earns more accolades

Just like he collected points for BYU, Jimmer Fredette is collecting the national player of the year awards at a rapid pace.

Two days after being named the AP Player of the Year, the BYU senior guard claimed the prestigious Naismith Award on Sunday night, edging out Duke senior Nolan Smith, Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger and Connecticut junior Kemba Walker.

Averaging 28.5 points this season, Fredette led the Cougars to a 32-5 record. He also was named the NABC Player of the Year during the ceremony.

San Diego State coach Steve Fisher played an integral role in guiding the Aztecs (34-3) to the Sweet 16, which also marked the best season in school history. NABC rewarded him for the success by naming him the 2011 Coach of the Year.

Purdue's JaJuan Johnson collected several awards Sunday night, including the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year .

Other notable award winners included Moorehead State center Kenneth Faried — the NCAA's all-time leading rebounder - and Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen, who were both recognized with senior achievement awards.

Don't forget the defense

After notable Division I coaches - such as West Virginia's Bob Huggins, Washington's Lorenzo Romar and Texas A&M's Mark Turgeon - headlined the NABC Convention lectures this week, the talks winded down with Division II and III coaches.

On Sunday, Cal Poly Pomona coach Greg Kamansky - who guided his team to the NCAA Division II championship - was among the Division II coaches to address high school basketball coaches to discuss the intricacies of zone defense.

He educated coaches on the importance of carefully recruiting big men who actually fit the zone schemes. Kamansky said he had turned down talented players for his program because he thought it would have hurt his team's overall defensive performance.

Harrison puts on show

Harrison, one of six area players in the game, finished with a game-high 21 points .

"I never thought I'd be this good," said the future St. John's player. "Not saying I am, but to be named an All-American is a great honor. It was pretty great to play with some of the top players in the country."

Julien Lewis, who led La Marque to the Class 4A state championship game, had 17 points. The Texas-bound guard is looking forward to facing Sunday's teammates and opponents again soon.

"This was a great time," Lewis said. "I can't wait to play against these guys at the next level."